Post by horseguy on Apr 11, 2016 16:26:16 GMT
I received the above request in an email today from a dedicated young rider/horse owner. My first thought is 5 - 7 minutes to explain betting is like explaining Einstein's Relativity in 10 minutes. But what the heck, let's try.
I believe that the best way to begin such a talk is with the seven pressure points, sometimes called points of control, on which a bit can work on a horse.
bars
tongue
chin
lips
poll
nose
roof of mouth
(I take a chart with this list)
My typical next step is to explain how few bits work on just one of these points. The snaffle is perhaps the simplest common bit. It works on the bars first, then the tongue and somewhat on the lips. An example of a bit that works on only one point is a simple hackamore.
Curb straps and chains work on the chin, hackamore elements on the nose, leverage bits and gags work on the poll. What I call spoon bits work on the roof of the mouth, and I know nothing about using these bits.
After that I go in to the specifics of the separate parts of a bit like the mouth, the shanks, the chin strap or chain, etc. but this is where you can burn up all your time in such a short talk. That, I think, will be the challenge. Only 5 - 7 minutes will just be enough time for an overview of all bitting.
Everyone, please help out.
